For each of the cases below decide what mood disorder the individual is experiencing.
Share your opinion with other members of the class.

Case study A

A 36-year old used car salesman describes himself in the following terms. "I'm an up kind of guy." His is the most productive salesperson in his agency. Periodically he experiences what he calls a "selling frenzy" wen his is effusive, expansive, and self-confident to the point of being obnoxious. Nevertheless, during these periods he sells substantially more cars than his fellow salespersons. He wont take no for an answer and pursues customers until they get irritated or finally buy the car. One of his colleagues says, "He just keeps on talking." His fellow workers steer the most resistant customers to him. Often he is called in as the "closer" to finally persuade the customer to buy.
During these periods he works late and then spends most of the night dancing in local nightclubs and pursuing women for one-night encounters. After a few weeks he settles down to what he calls his "quiet time" that lasts until another "selling frenzy" begins.


Case study B
An 18-year old woman that just started university. She describes herself as usually up-beat, but recently, since early November (it is now late December) she has been feeling lethargic. As well, she has gained extra-weight. Her consumption of refined carbohydrates has increased significantly since. She declares, "I just have the blahs. My get up and go, seems to have gotten up and went."

Case study C
A 26 year old woman reports feeling depressed, worthless, and hopeless for periods of up to a week several times a year. During these periods she sleeps poorly, is tired most of the day, and has recurrent thoughts of death.

Homework:

Please read pp. 530-542

FINAL ASSIGNMENT: KIS GOES TO THE PSYCHOLOGIST
Grading rubric for the above assignment:
Notes for this section: